Lever arm screw driver and wrench



Dec. 16, 1952 G, F WALES 2,621,666

LEVER ARM SCREW DRIVER AND WRENCH Filed Jan. 5, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ill lll nventor Dec. 16, 1952 G. F. WALES 2,621,688

' LEVER ARM scREw DRIVER AND WRENCH Filed Jan.y s, 1946 3 sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Decfl, I195,2

Filed Jan. 5, 1946 G. F. WALES LEVER ARM scREw DRIVER AND WRENCH :s sheets-sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 r :is

UNITED STATESPATENT oFFIcE This invention relates to improvements vin tools ofthe screw driver and wrench type and more particularly to a combination of such tools.

In using a screw driver it is necessary to steady the bit end with the fingers of one hand while applying the turning force to the handle with the other hand. This is particularly necessary when using .the conventional straight bit screw driver. .Other types of `socket-head type screws are'l made in which the tendencyforlthe tolito :i

slip is eliminated,- but it is still necessary to steady the bit end with the iingers of one hand.

In driving screws or plugs by means of a screw driver the diameter of the handle usually is such that when any great turning pressure is required, it becomes increasingly difculi; to drive the screw or plug home as it should be. Very often when this condition. arises a separate wrench is applied to the bit and the increased leverage utilized.

The disadvantage of using the conventional slot engaging screw driver is that frequently sufcient pressure cannot be applied to tighten a screw properly without utilizing an additional wrench and this usually results in a damaged screw slot.

The dis-advantage of using a wrench with a screw driver for tapered socket screws is that the additional leverage cannot be utilized because of the tendency for the tool bit to cam out of. the tapered socket.

The disadvantage of utilizing a wrench in which the leverage is applied by a longitudinally extending handle, is that the wrench is not steadied properly and in places where a complete revolution of the handle cannot be made, requires the disengaging and re-engaging of the bit in its're'- cess each portion of a revolution.- This consumes time and requires patience.

A further disadvantage is that the available wrenches may provide too great a leverage for lthe screw driver or screw resulting in= structural failure and possible hazarditofthe operator of the tool.

I have therefore invented the combination screw driver and wrench which is disclosed here-V with and which provides a to'ol that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. In addition a tool having a double action is provided, r'st in that a means lis provided for'rapidly starting a l 2 screw .into.- its threaded lopening by means` of thumb and finger knob and second in that a wrench means is provided when additional power is required. In other words, withmy combination tool a screw may be spun into its threaded opening as far as possible by means of a knob on Y the driver shank and then a lever is engaged and used as a wrench for the nal tightening operation. ,L I I The principal objectIoi this-invention provide acombinationdriver tool 'and wrench in which the tool bit may be conveniently revolved by thumb and finger while `being steadied by a wrench handle in which it revolves for the purpose of spinning screws and'similar devices into accommodating threaded openings to a point Where resistance becomes too greatfor finger operation, after which the wrench is made to engage the bit and the leverage of its handle utilized to continue the tightening operation to the desired peintf Another object is to provide a combination driver tool and wrench where the bit maybe steadied by means of the wrench handle when the turningof the bit is by the driver knob and where the wrench handle is in turn steadied by the driver bit and knob when leverage is being applied by means of the wrench handle.

Another object is to provide a combination driver tool and Wrench in which additional force can be applied to the tool bit, to retain it in the driver slot of a screw or like device, when the .maximum vturning force is applied thereto.

y Another object is to provide Ia combination driver tool and wrench of this nature in which the wrench handle may be engaged-or disengaged after turning the bit a portion of a circumference so that complete revolution of the .bit mayresult from repeatedly 'engaging and disengaging the wrench handle when it is impossible to revolve the wrench handle completely because of interferences;

'.'Anotherobject is' to provide a combination driver tool and 'wrench of this. nature'in which yieldable means are provided to maintain the bit inaposition where it may be revolved without rotation of the wrench handleuntil the lever-age ofthe handle is required.

Another object is to provide a combination driver tool. end wrench in which the integral wrench handle is limited to a length providing a turning force within the safe limits of the driven screw for the average applied manual force.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination driver tool and wrench which can be used and stored like a conventional screw driver,

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view vof one form. of my wrench showing the wrench bit in the position in the wrench in which it may be revolved by turning the knob.

Fig. 2 is .an enlarged partial cross-section of the wrench shown in Fig. 1 illustrating how the-'bit engages a socket depression in a set -screw and showing a ball-check which engages a groove in the bit shank to ret-ain the wrench'and bit in the relation shown in which the shank and bit may be revolved by turning the knob.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectionview taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2 illustrating how the wrench, adjacent the bit, is `provided with an irregular recess for cooperation with the irregular form of lthe bit body as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates how the wrench is moved in relation to the Vbit when its handle is required to provide more leverage.

Fig. 5 isa cross-section view taken on linel-S of Fig.. 4, showing how the wrench is formed to ccoperatewith `the'bit body.

Fig. 6 lis a parti-al vview of a lwrench bit rand slotted head screw to illustrate v'how `this wrench is used asa screw driver.

Fig. 7 is :a partial view of a wrench bit and socket-head screw to demonstratehow this device may be used with any worm of screw, plug or nut providing the bit is adapted to accommodateit.

Fig. '8 is aperspective view of a tool, similar to the tools in the preceding illustrations, but utilizing a foldable wrench arm with a more conventional screw driver.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-section of the wrench shown in Fig. 8 illustrating the wrench arm in the inoperative folded position and showing the novel spring for retaining the arm in this position.

Fig. 10 is a partial cross-section of the wrench illustrated in Figs. 8 `and 9 showing the recess in the driving tool handle, the foldable Varm -extended laterally and the wrench head engaging the tool bit.

Fig. 11 is an end view of Fig. 10 illustrating by dotted line the recess in the driving tool handle for receiving the foldable wrench arm.

Fig. 12 is a cross-section view, taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 10, showing the mating polygonal sections of .the wrench head yand bit body.

Fig. 13 isa perspective exploded view of the slidable wrench head, .bit body, spring and pivot pin.

Fig. 14 is a, view of a tool diiering fronlthetool described in Figs..8 through 14 Yin the detailed construction of thedriving Atool handlefandits :cooperating retractable wrench arm.

Fig. `15 is an end View of Fig. 14 `shcwingthe driving tool handle.

Fig. 16 is an end View of Fig, 14 illustrating :the tool bit.

Fig. 1'7 is a view, partly in sectiorrsimilar to Fig. 14 but with the wrench arm extended, and illustrating the chamber in the driving tool handle for receiving the wrench arm.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on line lil-l5 of Fig. 17 which illustrates the mating driven tool bit and driving wrench head.

Fig. 19 is 'a fragmentary partial sectional View illustrating the wrench arm position prior to its slidable retraction.

Fig. 20 is a view of a wrench simil-ar to the wrench in Figs. 14 through 19 but having alternate means for engaging the driven `and driving elements of the wrench.

Fig.. 2-1 is a perspective fragmentary exploded view of the driving collar oi the wrench illustra-ted in Fig. 20.

In the Figs. l through 5, the numeral 3) represents 4a driver tool of hexagonal or other irregular form integrally united to :a shank 3l and stem 32. Shank .-31 is cylindrical Iand provided with an annular groove 33 at the upper portion of its length. To stem 32 is tightly attached the knurled knob 34 for the purpose of turning tool 38 by means of thumb and ringer. Surrounding shank 3| is a wrench head 35 which is integral with ya 4leverage arm Head 35 is provided with :a round opening 31 for the laccommodation 'of Ashank 3| and is of such nt that the latter revolves freely when knob 34 is rotated. For the purpose of'yieldably maintaining the wrench arm in the position shown lin Fig. 2 when the wrench portionis notbeing-used for turning, I provide an opening 38 `lorrned across opening V3'! in such mannerv that a coiled 'spring 39 anda retaining ball 4B may'beinserted vin it to Aplace pressure on the ballin groove 3S. Head 35 is 4provided with a recess' 41 of hexagonal or other irregular form toA `iit over 'the bit body 30 lwhenengaging it as shown in vvFig-4. In this position the leverage of arm 36 may be `applied to tool bit 30 with one hand while lbeing vsteadied vby the other hand grasping knob l34.

Fig. 2 illustrates the position of this tool when a set screw 42 is being screwed into member 43 by the turning of knob 34. In this operation the arm-36 is held steady and acts as a guide to hold the bit inplace. 'Thisis especially desirable when the bitis of the form of the screw driver 44 in Fig. y6,as it holds the bit in its slot and is convenient in starting the screw straigh-t in va member which should preferably have holes drilled ii the member is of wood or tapped if of metal.

By vapplying pressure to knob 34, wrench recess #H may be engaged with and disengaged from bit 33 quickly and due to its polygonal form the bit may be turned through a small portion of a full revolution, then disengaged, turned back and the amount .of turn repeated somewhat similar to the .result of ratchet wrench operation.

Fig. 3. shows how shank S-l revolves in the polygonalrecessflll when the Wrench arm A3b is in the position of Fig. 2. When the wrench arm is needed for additional leverage, a slight pressure downward and a slight turning of the arm in relation tothe bit permits the recess to surround the bitl shown inFigs. 4 and 5;so that leverage applied to larm 3% is transmitted to revolve the tool bit.

In running a screw or similar item into a member my combination driver .tool and wrench is held in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 by means of arm 36 and the knob 34 is turned until vscrew 42 offers such resistance that it cannotxbe turned by thumb and nger any further. Then the wrench is pressed lengthwise ofthe shank until recess 11| engages bit-body 30 and the. tightening process continued by utilizing the leverage of arm 36.

In removing a screw or similar item the wrench `arm is used iirst and then disengaged from the Ibit so that the knob and bit may be spun in reverse.A A

.A similar tool is illustrated in Figs. 8 through 13 in which VI provide a wrench arm which is foldabley for conventional operation or convenience in storing the tool. The numeral 50 represents a (driver tool integral with a shank 5| and knob or handle 52. The cylindrical shank 5| is provided with annular grooves 53 and 54. Surrounding shank 5| is a wrench head 55 having a recess 64 of irregular shape and a U-shaped bracket on which wrench arm 56 is pivotally supported at 51. The enlarged portion 58 of arm 56 serves as a bearing block and cam surface for co-acting with and retaining spring 60 in wrench head 55 as I will describe later.

Fig. 9 illustrates the folded inoperative position of wrench arm 56 in which its contoured portion 62 fits Within the recess 6| of handle 52, shown by dotted line in Fig. 11, and serves to complement the driving tool handle 52 for convenience when the tool is used in the conventional manner. Arm 56 is yieldably maintained in this position, by spring 6U, which serves the dual purpose of biasing arm 56 towards its folded position by means of its action on cam 59 and yieldably restraining its axial movement due to the engagement of its depressed tongue '63 with groove 54. Handle 56 is extended by grasping it above the bearing block with the thumb and forenger and pivoting it away from the handle 52. A slight downward pressure will then cause it to assume the positions illustrated in Figs. 8 or l0.

Fig. 8 shows the wrench arm 56 extended with the wrench head 55 in the steadying position in which it is used to guide the driving tool as it is rotated by means of handle 52. In this position the tongue 63 of spring 60 is engaging groove 53 to restrain the wrench head 55 from axial movement.

In Figs. 10 and 12 the Wrench head 55 and its pivotal driving arm 56 are illustrated in the driving position in which the polygonal recess 64 of wrench head 55 surrounds its mating section on the bit 50 so that `leverage applied to wrench arm 56 is transmitted to tool bit 50. In this position, arm 56 is maintained substantially rigid because tongue 63 of spring 60 is trapped between cam 59 and shank 5|.

Fig. 13 further details the construction of the mating wrench head 55, the tool bit 50 and the method for retaining spring 60 in head 55. The wrench head 55 has the raised contoured edges 61 and 68 on which the bent extremities 65 and 66 of spring 60 bear to retain it in place and support it for its biasing action on cam 59 of handle 56. The opening 69 in support 55 permits the resilient tongue 63 of spring 66 to engage grooves 53 and 54 of shank 5| for the purpose I have previously described.

A similar tool, illustrated in Figs. 14 through 19, differs from the tool in Figs. 8 through 13 in that the wrench arm 16 is housed within the handle 12 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. In this construction I have provided a simple wrench arm 16 which is adapted to be extended laterally for steadying or driving the tool bit or slidably retracted within the driving tool handle 12 for normal use or storing. v

Fig-19 details the position of wrencharm 16 prior'to its insertion in chamber 11 of handle 12. With wrench head 15 in the illustrated positionand the wrench arm 16 extended laterally, as in Fig. 17, the driving tool can be steadied in the manner of the previously described tools.

Fig. 17 shows the chamber 11 in handle 12 and the wrench head 15 in engagement with the tool b it 13 as is illustrated more clearly in Fig. 18.

A similar tool is detailed in Figs. 20 and 21 having a wrench head with a lower castellated section 81 vfor engaging a pin 86 through the cylindrical shank 8| of the driving tool. In this novel variation the driving pin 86 serves also as a means of retaining the wrench head 85 on a shank 8| of uniform cross-section.

By multi-sided, as used in the claims, is meant any formation wherein the male and female portions on the tool shank and lever collar, respectively, match but are so formed that when they are engaged with one another any relative angular, or rotative, movement between them is prevented.

In the above specification, I have described some modifications of my invention but it will be understood that further alterations could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of invention defined by the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tool having a handle and an aligned shank which terminates in a work-engaging end, said shank in the vicinity of said end, being formed' with a multi-sided section and between said section and said handle being formed with spaced-apart annular grooves, a collar on said shank having a multi-sided socket for tting over said multi-sided shank section, a lever pivctally connected to said' collar so that it may lie alongside said shank or be swung to a position in which it extends at right angles with respect to said shank, and resilient means carried by said collar and which is engageable with one yof said grooves to hold said collar against axial movement when said lever occupies said first mentioned position and which is engageable with the other of said grooves to hold said collar against axial movement in a position in which said lever may be extended to said second position to steady said work-engaging end while permitting said shank to be turned freely in saidcollar by said handle, said resilient means being operative in a third position of said collar in which said socket fits over said multi-sided shank section to lock said lever in its extended position against pivotal movement with respect to said collar.

2. A rotary driver of the character described having a handle and an aligned shank which terminates in a bit, said shank being formed in the vicinity of said bit with a multi-sided section and between the latter and said handle with upper and lower annular grooves, a laterally extending lever arm having a hub formed with a bore through which said shank extends, means pivotally connecting said lever arm and hub so that the lever arm may be folded toward said shank, and a spring-biased detent carried' by said hub, said hub being adjustable lengthwise of said shank and being formed so that the lower end of said bore provides a multi-sided socket for fitting over the multi-sided section of said shank in one position of said hub to lock said lever arm and shank against relative angular movementJ so that a rotative force may be applied to said shank by said lever, said hub being movable to a second position on said shank to disengage said multi-sided socket from said 5 multi-sided shank section and in which position said detent engages said lower annular groove, whereby to enable said driver to be steadied by said levez` arm While permitting said shank to be turned freely by said handle, said hub being movable to a third position in which said' detent engages said upper annular groove to hold said lever arm in said folded position.

GEORGE F. WALES.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 432,928 Bartlett July 22, 1890 719,440 Davis Feb. 3, 1906 862,244 Garratt Aug. 6, 1907 1,000,900 Dorsey Aug. 15, 1911 1,047,634 Hoirnan Dec. 17, 1912 1,493,983 Hurley May 13, 1924 1,736,549 KSalmon Nov. 19, 1929 

